WSJ What’s News AM — "Another Trump Critic Faces Prosecution"

Date: October 17, 2025
Host: Kate Bullivant
Main Theme:
A whirlwind roundup of the day's biggest business, political, and global headlines—highlighting the indictment of John Bolton, escalating tensions in Venezuela, a heated New York mayoral debate, legal action over AI-generated deepfakes, major moves in the fertility drug market, industry turbulence around semiconductor supply chains, and the surprising rally in silver and gold.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. DOJ Indicts Trump Critic John Bolton

• Summary:
  President Trump’s former National Security Adviser, John Bolton, is indicted for allegedly mishandling classified information. The case touches deep political nerves, as Bolton is a prominent Trump opponent, and is being perceived by some as part of a broader trend of legal actions against Trump critics.

• Details:

  • Allegations:
    Bolton is accused of sharing over 1,000 pages of "diary-like entries" containing classified information with his wife and daughter, using private email accounts. He’s also alleged to have unlawfully stored national defense documents at home.
    [01:18–02:13]
  • Political reactions:
    President Trump, learning of the indictment during a press gaggle, responded:

    "I didn’t know that. You told me for the first time. But I think he’s ... a bad person. I think he’s a bad guy. Yeah, he’s a bad guy. Too bad." — Donald Trump [01:08]

  • Bolton’s defense:
    Bolton condemned the move as an effort to intimidate critics:

    "[The charges are] part of an effort to intimidate Trump critics ... looking forward to exposing Trump’s abuse of power." — John Bolton [02:32]

  • Wider pattern:
    Other prominent Trump critics (James Comey, Letitia James) have recently also faced DOJ scrutiny after Trump’s demands.

• Insightful Quote:

  "There has never been anything like this before and hopefully never will be again." — John Bolton, speaking at Harvard [02:22]

2. Venezuela’s Militarized Standoff with the US

• Summary:
  Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro launches a major military mobilization in defiance of the US, as tensions spike over US covert actions and recent strikes on alleged drug-trafficker vessels.

• Details:

  • Maduro moves troops to the coast and touts a militia "a million strong."
  • US buildup: Navy warships, fighter jets, attack submarines, and Special Ops moved to the Caribbean.
  • Context: US covert CIA operations in Venezuela; at least 27 killed in recent US strikes.
    [03:04]

3. New York Mayoral Debate Heats Up

• Summary:
  The first debate between Zorhan Mamdani, Andrew Cuomo, and Curtis Sliwa focuses on affordability, public safety, and stances on Trump—marked by infighting and pledges to protect New Yorkers from federal interventions.

• Quotes:

  • "I'd make it clear to the President that I am willing to not only speak to him, but to work with him if it means delivering on lowering the cost of living for New Yorkers. ... All he's been able to deliver thus far has been prosecuting his political enemies and trying to enact the largest deportation program in American history." — Zorhan Mamdani [04:06]

  • "If you come after New York, you know what I'm going to do. ... I will fight you every step of the way if you try to hurt New York." — Andrew Cuomo [04:26]

• Noteworthy:
  All three candidates oppose Trump sending the National Guard to New York, and none endorses current Governor Kathy Hochul. [04:46]

4. Deepfake Lawsuit: Tech’s Darker Side Emerges

• Summary:
  A New Jersey teen sues the developer ("Cloth Off") of an AI-powered undressing app after her real photo is transformed into a fake nude.

• Details:

  • The suit aims to force deletion of non-consensual images and the tool’s removal.
  • The maker has not commented. [05:23]

5. Fertility Drug Discount Deal

• Summary:
  President Trump strikes a deal with EMD Sirono for an 84% discount on some fertility drugs, to be available on a new government portal. While not matching his campaign pledge for free IVF, it increases access.

• Details:

  • In exchange for the discount, the pharma company gets tariff exemptions and faster FDA reviews.
  • Employers offering standalone IVF insurance get more flexibility.
    [05:53]

6. Starbucks Seeks China Partner as Market Competition Intensifies

• Summary:
  Starbucks is evaluating bids from five groups to partner in its China business, valuing the deal at over $10 billion—part of its strategy to outmaneuver fierce local rivals.

7. Semiconductor Woes: The Nexperia Shock

• Summary:
  The auto industry reels as Dutch chipmaker Nexperia, now controlled by the Dutch government (after its Chinese owner's blacklisting), halts shipments—exacerbating fears of another chip shortage.

• Expert Insight:

  "Although it’s quite a basic part, every automaker will be exposed. The question is how fast they can sub in the alternative supplies and ... pressure politicians to resolve the fundamental disagreement over Nexperia control." — Stephen Wilmot, autos reporter [07:18]

8. Silver Outshines — A Record-Breaking Precious Metals Rally

• Summary:
  Silver prices surge more than 70% year-to-date, outpacing even AI stocks. Demand is driven by its dual role as a safe haven and a key industrial metal.

• Expert Analysis:

  • "Silver is in a real sweet spot right now. It’s benefiting from demand for haven assets ... but at the same time, it has industrial uses, unlike, to a large extent, gold." — Joe Wallace, WSJ markets reporter [08:59, repeated from earlier]

  • Solar industry demand and possible US national security designation fueling stockpiling (and speculation that tariffs may be imposed).
  • Physical silver is in such high demand that London silver bars have run dry:

    "So much silver drained out of the market that there’s just not much on hand." — Joe Wallace [11:28]

• Investor Behavior:

  • ETFs backed by silver attract massive flows, locking up physical supply.
  • Jewelry owners are cashing in as dealers report surges in people selling family heirlooms.

  • "This is the kind of thing that could eventually contribute to the rally eventually coming to a halt..." — Joe Wallace [12:34]

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• Trump on Bolton’s indictment:
  "I didn’t know that. ... But I think he’s a bad person. ... Too bad." — Donald Trump [01:08]
• Bolton on Trump:
  "Trump is an aberration in American politics. There has never been anything like this before and hopefully never will be again." — John Bolton [02:22]
• Mamdani on working with Trump:
  "If it means delivering on lowering the cost of living for New Yorkers ... but all he’s been able to deliver thus far has been prosecuting his political enemies ..." — Zorhan Mamdani [04:06]
• Joe Wallace on silver’s dual appeal:
  "It’s benefiting from demand for haven assets ... but at the same time, it has industrial uses." [08:59]
• Stephen Wilmot on chip shortages:
  "Although it’s quite a basic part, every automaker will be exposed." [07:18]

Important Segments & Timestamps

• DOJ Indicts Bolton, Trump Reacts: [01:05–02:32]
• Venezuela Showdown Escalates: [03:04–04:05]
• NYC Mayoral Debate Quotes: [04:06–04:46]
• Deepfake Lawsuit Development: [05:23–05:53]
• Fertility Drug Discount Deal: [05:53–06:20]
• Chip Shortage Explained: [07:18–07:53]
• Silver’s Record Rally: [08:26–13:25]

Tone and Takeaways

• The episode maintains the Wall Street Journal’s brisk, fact-driven style, balancing urgency with informative depth.
• Political prosecutions and global flashpoints are delivered with gravity, while market commentary is analytical, occasionally laced with market-world skepticism and wit.
• The precious metals segment stands out for its blend of technical finance insight with colorful anecdotes from the jewelry trade.

For listeners who missed it: this episode is packed with crucial developments in U.S. politics, global tensions, tech-ethics litigation, corporate strategy, and market anomalies—with sharp, quotable analysis throughout.